Motorcycle Amps – FAQ & Buyer’s Guide!

Amps for motorbikes perform the same operation as amps for any other musical instrument or home entertainment system. Motorbike amps are designed to boost the sound from a radio or mobile device to the headphones or speaker system of the rider.

In fact, a motorbike amp has to have extra features to assure its performance levels do not wane or wander while the bike is rolling over any surface, under any weather condition and with an external sound source impeding the outcome.

Now let’s take a look at the 5 best motorcycle amps on the market today.

This is the BOSS Audio MC470B Bluetooth® 1000W All-terrain speaker and amp for motorcycles

Performance

The Boss Audio MC470B Bluetooth® 1000W is an exceptional model made by one of the world’s leading motorcycle amp systems fabricators Boss.

The MC470B comes with two pairs of 3” full range speakers finished in a chrome coat. The output rating is 1000W and comes with a wired remote control for volume.

1000 Watt Max Amplifier with Wired Remote Volume Control. Integrated into the circuitry is a Bluetooth system for audio streaming from your mobile devices. This model comes with a pair of RCA inputs, a 3.5mm aux input and is compatible with all mobile devices and MP3 players.

This amp is designed to sit on the handlebars and comes with 0.75” to 1.25” handlebar mounting brackets. The body is made of a machined billet aluminum designed to maintain a cool thermal circuitry and is 100% waterproof.

This is the best of the best and provides exceptional amp performance with powerful speaker output, combined in perfect harmony. The overall design and structure are for top-rated power and performance.

Features

Two Pairs of Chrome 3″ Full Range Speakers

1000 Watt Max Amplifier with Wired Remote Volume Control

Bluetooth Audio Streaming capable

1 x Pair RCA Inputs

1 x 3.5 mm Aux

Frequency Response 80Hz to 15KHz, SN >85dB, THD: < 0.01%

Recommendations

This is a compact and rugged model designed for performance in any weather condition and is made from a rugged billet aluminum chassis for thermal environmental control.

Performance

The DS18® Universal Candy Series 2-Channel 320W Amplifier comes with a Variable Input Level Control Four-Way Protection Circuit that provides you with perfect performance maintenance features including a Thermal Protection, Over-Load Current Protection, Output Direct Current Protection, and Speaker Short Circuit Protection system. The DS18 CANDY delivers a 320w performance with three power compatibilities;

4-Ohms: 2 X 65W

2-Ohms: 2 X 80W

4-Ohms: 1 X 160W

This model provides a Signal to Noise Ratio of 80dB and has a Frequency Response rate of 19-39Khz.

The design is compact and is made from machined aluminum to provide excellent waterproofing, thermal environment control with overload, and short circuit protection.

This model comes with integrated audio filters for optimal sound adjustments and is compact and lightweight to fit different applications.

The DS18 comes with an extruded iron chassis for extra protection against vibration and comes with a Black and hairline heatsink for supercooling effectivity. Its dimensions are 80.2mm x 124mm x 37mm

Features

Extruded iron chassis

Black and hairline heatsink

Silkprint logo

280Mv-6.1V Low-level inputs

2-Ohms stable in stereo mode

4-Ohms bridged stable

Compact and lightweight to fit different applications

Recommendations

This is an exceptional model, with a medium power level, and provides perfect harmonics for all motorcycle requirements. Take note, this is an amp only; you need to buy the speakers to Bluetooth interface separately.

Performance

When it comes to amp performance with Bluetooth and style, sometimes the Chinese can produce the best models. This is the GoHawk AN4-QX model, and it comes with 4 x 4.5” speaker’s that come with built-in amplifiers for a truly remarkable experience. The integrated speaker-amp combo provides you with a curated look that delivers classic lines to any motorcycle.

A billion Chinese motorcyclists cannot be wrong, and this is one popular brand that is perhaps one of the most sought after for price to performance ratio.

This set includes 4 extra-large mounting clamps that support 1” to 1 ½” handlebars and is compatible with ape hangers as well as crash bars with a 1 ½” diameter. The built-in amps remove the need for installing a separate amp unit, and you get exceptional speaker quality performance.

These units work with the low power of 10v to 16v systems and have an input sensitivity of 100mv-3000mv. Their rated power is 4 x 30w at 4 ohms and their peak power performance when combined is 1200w. These are 4 channel amp speakers with a Bluetooth 5.0 transmission of up to 15 meters.

The sound to noise ratio is just under 80dB.

Features

Response Frequency: 20Hz-20KHz

S/N: >80dB

Bluetooth 5.0

3.5mm AUX Audio Jack

Full Function Wired Control

High-Performance Class-D Electronic Amplifier

Recommendations

Yes, it’s here, it’s a Chinese dragon, and it’s damned good, and it’s a Class D amp with speakers all built into one unit.

This is a set of full-range 3″ speakers that come with a heavy duty handlebar clamp and are IP65 waterproof rated. The amp unit is a 10-16v model with a rated input power of 2 x 10w and provides a maximum impute mower of 100w. The rated impedance is 4 ohms. The sound to noise ratio is just under 80db and comes with an 84db sensitivity.

These Bluetooth 4.0 with EDR system work within a range of 15 meters, and are easy to install delivering a plug and play performance with a Hand-Crafted Satin Black Finish.

Features

Heavy Duty Handlebar Clamp

Easy access on-screen button control

IP56 Waterproof Rating

360 Degree swivel

Bluetooth 4.0

Plug and Play

Hand-Crafted Satin Black Finished

Recommendations

This is one powerful model, comes as a standard speaker and amp combo set, but with exceptional structural and electronic performance. When it comes to value for money, this is one set that is hard to beat.

Performance

If you want less bulk and more output, then the Satin Red and Black GoHawk AN3-A 3 in. Aluminum All-in-One Bluetooth Motorcycle Stereo Speakers are the ones you want to be fixed on your bike’s handlebars.

This amazing set of 2 3” speakers with an integrated amp is perfect for the ultimate budget-friendly performance you need for daily motorcycle riding use. Whether you are working in deliveries, or a motocross competitor, or just riding to college. This model is the ultimate in price and performance and is built with an input sensitivity of 100mv to 3000 mv, and a rated power of 2 x 30w + 75w at 40-ohm performance.

These are not waterproof speakers and are built for dry climates. Their peak power is 600 watts, and they have 2.1 channels and a Bluetooth 4.1 range of 15 meters with a sound to noise ratio of just under 80db.

This model comes with a built-in amp and radio, so you are getting the best of the best with added 3.5mm aux audio jack, and Bluetooth connectivity all in one. The housing is made from a CNC machined aluminum alloy casting.

Features

Built-in FM Radio

3.5mm AUX Audio Jack

FM Radio Antenna Plug

Bluetooth Antenna Plug

Aluminum Housing

Full function Wired remote

Recommendations

This is a lovely low budget amp, FM radio, speaker combo with Bluetooth compatibility for the beginner.

How to Choose a Motorcycle Amp?

Motorbike amps come in one category, weak signal amplifiers, and also come with the option to power from 1 channel to 6 channels.

Choosing the correct amp for your bike is key to getting perfect operation and performance at all times. A motorbike amp is installed in an easy to connect location; this means you don’t want to fiddle with the amp or the connector while riding, you want it to be at hands length and preferably in front or at the side of the rider.

Motorbike amplifiers are low power amplifiers, and as such, consume low energy for optimal performance since modern technology has miniaturized many of the amp components, it’s easy to find small compact units designed specifically for bikes. These units have to be waterproof, shockproof and also easy to install and operate.

What to look for when buying a motorcycle amp

Power Rating

Distortion rectification

Signal to noise ratio

Speaker Power Compatibility

Waterproofing

Impact resistant

As you can see, there are six factors to consider when investing in a motorcycle amp, and these are divided into two categories, the performance factors, and structural factors. The performance factors determine the quality of sound, the power of the output and the consistency of the signal. The structural factors take into account the amps ability to withstand weather conditions and constant vibrations and bumping from the ride itself.

There is a golden rule in matching amps to speakers; the amps wattage must be equal to or greater than the speakers. This allows for what is termed headroom, where sound can be distorted when the speakers are too powerful for the amp. You want the amp to be able to deliver enough power to the speaker without distortion. On the flip side, you don’t want to overload your speakers with an amp that will blast them to smithereens. So match the speakers to the amps is rule number one. Take into account the RMS or peak rate of an amp. This determines the distortion level or clipping based on current and voltage.

Motorcycle amps use 12v power sources, check the RMS to the voltage and make sure they match, don’t complain and moan about it after you buy a miss matched amp.

You want an amp that comes with high and low pass filters, bass boost, rock, and speaker level inputs to manage the type of sound you want to reach. Everyone’s ear is different, as such, one tone for one individual might be the cacophony of another. You want an amp with an EQ to adjust tones to suit your ear.

Size is all important for a motorcycle; you want a small, unobtrusive one that is easy to fix into place. Make sure the design is rugged, (even mil.spec) this means that no matter what road or surface your ide on, your amp will not dislodge from its moorings and will continue to deliver perfect performance even in the middle of an off-road bike-cross race.

A word on Bluetooth. You want it if possible Bluetooth performance will relieve you of wires, and is perfect for multiple applications, ranging from mobile device connectivity to standard radio performance. Bluetooth will let you use your mobile phone while working, talking to friends and family, or listening to music. It’s not a must-have, but in today’s market, it’s a best have.

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